12-25-25 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #650 is an hour of dynamic, inspired, visionary acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, Celtic harp, double flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin and 4- and 8-string ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in mid-December of 2025, today’s show begins with the meditative, impressionistic “Living In The Bliss”, a tone poem with soaring Native flute and fundamental, earthy accompaniment before we move into the upbeat, joyful, spacious “Rising”, a fine folk air with a gorgeous vocal from Mariam above an effervescent accompaniment of galloping congas, chiming ukulele and rich, burnished piano chords that unhurriedly explores and inspires. “To The Crystalline Temples Of Light” is a deeply emotional, mystical air driven along by Mariam’s chiming, eldritch mandolin, overtone-soaked double flute and Bob’s romantic, Prokofiev-like circular minor figure that lingers after the music ends. “Gather Together” is a prayer of peace and unity from the “Gaea Star Crystal” album that the ensemble portrays as a staid, formal opera aria with tight acoustic guitar work, imaginative piano and a foundational conga groove. “Jophy” is a character to whom Mariam has turned to during several episodes, a monkey who finds a purple flower in a “Jabarandi” tree and the ensemble illustrate the tale in yet another Prokofiev homage, this time to the narrative, onomatopoetic embodiment of characters through music.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
